At a Glance
- Tasks: Help businesses grow by assessing their financial needs and creating tailored growth plans.
- Company: Join The Growth Company, a leader in supporting business growth in Greater Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, professional development opportunities, and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping SMEs thrive and create jobs in your community.
- Qualifications: Must have finance expertise, strong relationship-building skills, and a degree-level education.
- Other info: Travel across Greater Manchester is required; a full UK driving licence is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Growth Company’s (GC) Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub is hiring a Business Advisor – Access to Finance Specialist to support ambitious businesses in achieving growth. You’ll assess growth potential, identify barriers to the achievement of growth, and develop action plans to unlock opportunities. The role includes managing enquiries, guiding clients through growth plans, and connecting them with tailored services and expertise all aligned to operational milestones.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver the Access to Finance service, helping Greater Manchester SMEs unlock growth, improve GVA, and create or safeguard jobs
- Manage a portfolio of 40–60 businesses annually, conducting deep-dive diagnostics and building tailored financial growth plans
- Personally introduce clients to targeted support services and ensure delivery aligns with strategic needs and growth objectives
- Maintain accurate progress tracking and reporting using CRM tools; meet funders’ data and impact requirements
- Collaborate with internal GC teams and external strategic partners to drive seamless service delivery and referral success
- Engage with businesses from initial enquiry to implementation, supporting their financial journey with actionable insights
- Capture and report outputs including financial impact, job creation, and investment readiness progress
- Grow and leverage a network of finance professionals and industry contacts to benefit clients and enrich the GC ecosystem
About You:
- Experienced finance professional with a solid understanding of SME funding and business financial strategy
- Comfortable working with data, financial documents, and using tech tools to streamline service delivery and maintain visibility of client engagement status.
- A natural relationship-builder, confident in engaging senior stakeholders and offering actionable advice
- Self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset
- Holds a full UK driving licence and ready to travel across Greater Manchester when needed
Skills Required:
- Proven expertise in SME finance, investment readiness, funding solutions, and interpreting financial statements
- Strong background in account management, stakeholder engagement, and team collaboration
- Excellent presentation, planning, and project management skills with attention to detail
- Comfortable navigating CRM databases, reporting systems, and general IT tools
- Degree-level business education or equivalent experience, ideally with 5+ years in senior private sector roles
- Experience of project delivery, budget and contract management
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Business Advisor - Access to Finance Specialist employer: The Growth Company
Contact Detail:
The Growth Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Advisor - Access to Finance Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the Greater Manchester business community. Attend local events, workshops, and seminars where you can meet potential clients and industry professionals. Building relationships in person can significantly enhance your chances of being referred to businesses that need your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific funding options available for SMEs in Greater Manchester. Understanding the local financial landscape will allow you to provide tailored advice and demonstrate your knowledge during interviews, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills by preparing case studies or examples from your previous experience where you successfully helped businesses overcome financial challenges. This will illustrate your capability to deliver actionable insights and support clients effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with online forums and social media groups focused on SME finance and business growth. Sharing your insights and participating in discussions can help you establish yourself as a knowledgeable professional in the field, which may catch the attention of hiring managers at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Advisor - Access to Finance Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in SME finance and business financial strategy. Emphasise any relevant roles where you've managed portfolios or engaged with stakeholders, as these are key aspects of the Business Advisor role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by SMEs in accessing finance. Share specific examples of how you've helped businesses grow or overcome financial barriers in the past.
Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your skills in account management, stakeholder engagement, and project management. Use bullet points to make it easy for the hiring team to see how your expertise aligns with their needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have experience using CRM tools or managing financial documents, be sure to mention this. Detail any specific achievements related to financial growth plans or job creation that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Growth Company
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience with SME funding and financial strategy during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've helped businesses unlock growth through financial solutions.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
As a Business Advisor, you'll need to engage with various stakeholders. Share instances where you've successfully built relationships with clients or partners, and explain how these connections led to positive outcomes.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Questions
Since the role involves working with data and financial documents, be ready to answer questions about your experience with CRM tools and reporting systems. You might be asked to interpret financial statements, so brush up on your analytical skills.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities
The ability to identify barriers to growth and develop actionable plans is crucial. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached problem-solving to achieve successful results.